Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Jaguars

An interesting Op Ed from biologist Alan Rabinowitz showing why advocacy groups like the Center for Biological Diversity are doing more harm than good by forcing the USFWS to preserve "jaguar habitat."

Mokele-Mbembe Book Title Poll

I'm running a quick poll today on my StrangeArk mailing list on a soon-to-be published book by Bill Gibbons on mokele-mbembe and the various expeditions. Three potential subtitles, take a quick vote if you're a listmember, or join the list to vote.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

TX Tiger Lost & Found

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Ivorybill Fiasco Brewing?

Someone claims to have photographed a living ivorybill woodpecker. The manner in which this information is being promoted has some birding folks skeptical; certainly doesn't raise much hope on the crypto side, either.

Here's a suggestion for anyone fortunate enough to acquire real evidence of a mystery animal in the future: a) have your evidence firmly and scientifically substantiated prior to your announcement, or b) provide the evidence for open and thorough examination immediately at the announcement.

Oversized Black Jaguar?

"It’s no use returning from a stroll through the jungle and saying you have seen a huge black jaguar twice the size of other jaguars – as a Catholic missionary working in Amazonian Peru did recently – unless you have some physical evidence."

Now, I'm wondering where this was reported, if anywhere, as I don't recall seeing it before. (And, of course, am wondering if there's any connection to Hocking's mystery cats from the same region.) If someone knows the original source, please forward or comment here.

Thylacine Travel Guide

OT: Raptors of the Northeast

For birders and wildlife enthusiasts in the northeastern US, I've recently published Dr. Thomas Bosakowski and Dr. Dwight G. Smith's Raptors of the Northeast. Full color, 30 species covered, 200 pages.

Let me start off pointing out that Amazon currently has the book discounted (on pre-order) to a bit over $12, so don't be afraid of the $18 price tag.

The book covers Bigfoot sightings in Georgia, including regional Native American tales, some early newspaper accounts, and other stories up to the present day. There is discussion in the first chapter on the overall history of Bigfoot sightings, another chapter discusses the Elkins Creek cast, and he devotes a fair bit of text to specific organizations or researchers (for example, a chapter on journalist Wayne Ford).

The author is a professor at Georgia Military College (Atlanta campus), and his ability to write is certainly above par for the subject. This is a decent state guide on the topic, and the author handles it objectively. It looks like most of the reports come from other researchers and organizations, so the scope of sightings may be familiar to the more well-versed Bigfoot enthusiasts. That's not a bad thing -- if anything, more regional Bigfoot organizations need to seek out individuals like Wells to organize and write up their files in a professional manner. Too many guides (or websites) are haphazard or don't convey an objective approach to the subject. I would have liked to have seen a more thorough survey of sightings in this book, but I suspect it would be too difficult to manage that while dealing with the various personalities in Bigfoot research. That's one reason I don't bother with this topic much myself.